Case Study: Amtrak

System Summary

Amtrak’s facility in Bear, Delaware is responsible for the vital repair and upgrade work performed on all AM-FLEET passenger cars in the Northeastern Corridor.

Previously, the inventory of more than 4000 parts required for this service was scattered throughout six repair facilities. In order to gain command of their inventory and improve on-time part delivery, Amtrak is employing Bastian Material Handling in its new warehouse.

Bastian Material Handling's system design and engineering in combination with ASAP Automation’s Exacta™ System (WMS) allows efficient picking of orders in parallel and quick direct delivery to the appropriate shop.

It is estimated the installation will result in an inventory dollar reduction of 40 percent, as well as increased worker productivity.

Amtrak Maintenance Facility

Key Technology

  • Two pods of three horizontal carousels
  • Two flow-rack stacks for fast-movers RF picking and putaway
  • Template Order Processing Module -- allows foremen to easily order pre-defined part kits for cars.
  • Electronic Catalog Interface -- enables mechanics to quickly order parts from Amtrak’s GUI-based electronic catalog

System Locations

  • Beech Grove, Indiana
  • Bear, Delaware
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Los Angeles, California
  • Oakland, California